Method of packaging sausages and apparatus therefor



April 1967 T. M. SCOPELITE ETAL 3,316,103

METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet l .lll

INVENTORS. THOMAS M. SCOPEL/TE ROY G. HLAVACEK HOWARD P. BONHE/MER BY 5 dfl ATTOfiEY.

April 1967 T. M. SCOPELITE ETAL 3,316,103

METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. THOMAS M. SCOPEL/TE ROY 6. HLAl/ACEK HOW/1RD I? BONHE/MER A 770 NEY.

Aprxl 25, 1967 'r. M. SCOPELITE ETAL 3,316,103

METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR THOMAS M. SCOPEL/TE ROY 6. HLAl/ACEK HOWARD R BOA/HE/MER BY J A T70 EY.

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METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. THOMAS M. SCOPEL/TE ROY G. HLAl ACEK HOW/1RD R BONHE/MEI? NEY.

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April 25, 1967 T. M. SCOPELITE ETAL. 3,316,103

METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 fi IN VENTORS in 771 011434 5 /l//. 5 C OPE L TE R0) 6. HLAVACEK HOWARD BONHE/M'ER BY ATTOF? E'Y.

A ril 25, 1967 T. M. SCOPELITE ETAL 3,316,103

METHOD OF PACKAGING sAusAgEs AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I Ill 46 INVENTORS. M 85 THOMAS M. SCOPEL/TE R0) 6. HLAl/ACEK ,I HOWARD P. BONHE/MER A TTOIZJEK P 1967 T. M. SCOPELITE ETAL 3,316,103

METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 /35 /97 HFT- g A 1 1 X, a

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m THOMAS M. sea/ ams R0) GIHLAVACEK HOWARD e BONHE/MER United States Patent METHOD OF PACKAGING SAUSAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Thomas M. Scopelite, Chicago, Roy G. Hlavacek, Oak Park, and Howard P. Bonlleirner, Western Springs, 11]., assignors to Swift 8: Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,929 19 Claims. (Cl. 99174) The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for collating generally cylindrical objects into groups for packaging. More specifically the present invention comprises an improved method and apparatus for aligning and grouping a desired number of cylindrical items, such as sausages, and transferring such groups regularly and in close sidewise alignment to a wrapping machine.

The herein described embodiment of the present invention was specifically devised for the food processing industry to assemble uniform groups of frankfurters, which groups would be of suitable number and configuration for automatic wrapping in commercially available wrapping equipment. At the present time the major portion of frankfurter production is of the so-called skinless frank variety. The most widely practiced method for forming such frankfurters is to stuff a raw frankfurter emulsion into substantial lengths of casing material, tying off the casing into a plurality of links, cooking and smoking the frankfurters, and, finally, peeling the casing therefrom. By far, most of this production is carried out with casings made of an artificial material such as regenerated cellulose. Such franks are known to the industry as A.C. franks.

However, a substantial and growing portion of skinless frankfurters are now produced without the use of casings by molding the sausage emulsion to the desired shape as is taught in Patent No. 2,877,118, for example. This type of production has come to be known as continuous sausage production Additionally, a large part of the total frankfurter production in this country is packaged in transparent films for consumer sales. Such packages usually contain an amount of product weighing either one-half or one pound. With continuous sausage manufacture the exact weight of each sausage may be regulated so that a given number of such items will always amount to a desired weight. Also, close control of the A.C. frankfurter and other types of sausage production may be maintained so that a given number of frankfurters will usually amount to a desired weight. Accordingly, it is possible to count out a predetermined number of sausages, such as frankfurters, as they are produced, and wrap them in suitable film for the retail market.

There are at present a number of automatic wrapping machines on the commercial market suitable for wrapping such product. Generally the wrapping machines may be grouped in two classes. One class of machine is suitable to wrap a single layer of sausages or similar items. An example of this type of machine is known as the Flex- Vac 6-16. This machine rotates in a vertical plane and accepts a continuous stream of grouped product aligned in two parallel or adjacent rows of groups. Another wellknown class of machines are available to wrap a double layer group of such product. An example of the latter class of machines is known as the Wrap-King. The latter machine accepts a single continuous row of groups wherein each group preferably consists of two layers of product.

Although these wrapping machines have been commercially available for a number of years, there has not been 3,316,103 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 available commercially suitable devices for automatically assembling groups of product, such as frankfurters, from the production line and transferring such groups directly to the packaging machine. In the past this operation has been performed by hand, requiring a number of operators and resulting in a relatively high cost of packaging each group of product.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for handling and grouping cylindrical items of product between the production of such product and the packaging thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for receiving frankfurters, or the like, from production, aligning and assembling the frankfurters into groups of a desired number of items, and transferring such groups in a desired configuration to an automatic wrapping apparatus.

Basically, the present method comprises moving cylindrical items in a lateral direction along a path. The items are counted as they pass a given point whereupon they are assembled into a group of closely adjacent items of a given number. When the counting indicates a desired number of units have been thus assembled, the group is advanced further in the lateral direction and a subse quent group is assembled. During the period that each group is thus assembled and advanced, both ends of the items in the group are gently buffed in an inward direction so as to align the ends of the units comprising the group. Thereafter the group is swept in a longitudinal direction, at substantially right angles to their previous motion, onto the infeed equipment of a packaging apparatus and subsequently wrapped.

The present method further encompasses the assembling of a multi-layer group, if desired, where each initial group is first buffed and swept as above described, and thereafter a second group comprising a single layer of items is swept upon the top of the first and preceding group. Then the assembled group comprising two layers of units is again buffed to align the ends of both layers and thereafter swept onto the infeed of a packaging apparatus and subsequently wrapped.

An apparatus devised for carrying out the foregoing method basically comprises a means for delivering -cylin-, drical items, such as frankfurters, in continuous lateral relationship past a sensing means for counting the frankfurters. A grouping means is positioned to receive a number of items in closely adjacent relationship until a devised number has been counted. The grouping means is then moved forward and the next succeeding group of frankfurters is assembled. As the grouping means moves forward, aligning means, adjacent thereto, are actuated to buff the ends of the units. Further movement of the grouping means brings the group into the path of a trans fer means disposed to move the group at substantially a right angle from the grouping means onto a packaging apparatus.

Alternatively the transfer means may be arranged to move the initially formed group onto a second grouping means whereupon the next succeeding group is received upon the top of the first and preceding group. The second grouping means then moves the multi-layer group adjacent a second aligning means; and thereafter into the path of a second transfer means, which moves substantially at right angles to the path of the second grouping means,

to move the assembled group to a packaging apparatus.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed specifications in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing a basic first embodiment of a collator apparatus, with certain overhead structure removed, associated with a continuous-type frankfurter production line and a single layer type packaging apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 leading to the collator; FIGURE 3 is a general plan view of a second embodiment of a collator apparatus, with certain overhead structure removed, associated with the production of AC. type frankfurters, and a double layer type packaging apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the collator apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation view, with certain parts removed, of the apparatus of FIGURE 4 taken at line 5-5 therein;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the collator apparatus shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is an end elevation, with certain parts removed, of the apparatus of FIGURE 6 taken at line 77 therein;

FIGURE 8 is an opposite end elevation of the apparatus of FIGURE 6 taken at line 88 therein;

FIGURES 9A and 9B are a circuit diagram of the control and power apparatus for the collator of FIGURE 3.

The present method may be understood from the following description of an embodiment devised for handling frankfurters. At the end of frankfurter production, be it at the peeling station for A.C. franks or at the discharge from ovens in the continuous system, frankfurters are normally aligned axially, that is longitudinal, to one another, and are thus discharged longitudinally from roduction. In the present method, these frankfurters are reoriented into a laterally spaced series and moved in a direction transverse to the frankfurter axis, that is in a lateral direction with respect to the frankfurter. Preferably, a preliminary aligning of the frankfurters in this attitude is first undertaken; and also it is preferred that the frankfurters are distributed and spaced in a single layer. Where desired, the franks, while moving laterally, may be rotated so that they may be visually inspected.

After preliminary alignment of the franks, and while moving laterally, they are counted and immediately thereafter grouped by halting a frank and rolling succeeding frank-furters into adjacent contact until a desired number of frankfurters have been counted. Preferably, each frank is assisted into contact by being spun in the direction of motion and additionally urged forward by a fluid jet, such as air, emanating in the same direction. Thereafter the formed group is immediately moved, as a unit, in the lateral direction and the next succeeding frank is then stopped to commence grouping of the next number of franks. After the grouping of a number of franks, both ends of each frank within the group are simultaneously buffed, by momentarily pressing longitudinally, to align the ends. Thereafter the shaped group is swept in a longitudinal direction, with respect to the frankfurters, from the first path.

Where it is desired to wrap groups comprising a single layer of items, such groups are thus swept directly across an intermediate transfer pan and onto the infeed mechanism of a suitable packaging machine wherein they are subsequently wrapped. With equipment such as the Flex-Vac 6-16 machine, which accepts two parallel groups, sweeping of the frankfurters is preferably carried out by simultaneously moving two adjacent groups simultaneously.

However, where it is desired to ultimately wrap a multi-layer group consisting, for example, of two layers of product, first one group is swept in a longitudinal direction from the first path to a lower level adjacent that path where they are held stationary. Thereafter the next succeeding group is swept in the same longitudinal direction onto the preceding group; and then the juxtaposed layers are moved laterally, with respect to the frank-furters, as a single group. The new group is then preferably again buffed at both ends of the frankfurter s. Subsequently, the double layer group is swept, again in a direction longitudinal of the items therein, to the infeed of a suitable packaging machine such as the aforementioned Wrap-King device.

In either instance the precise manner by which the groups are wrapped, or otherwise encased, is not essential to this invention, as many operable methods, and apparatus therefore, are well known to persons skilled 1n the art.

A basic and first embodiment of a collator apparatus for performing the foregoing method is shown in FIG- URES 1, 2, 4 and 5. As shown in FIGURE 1, the collator apparatus generally 1% is adapted to receive frankfurters from the discharge end of a continuous-type production apparatus generally 11; and adapted to deliver the frankfurters in single layer groups to the infeed conveyor generally 12 of a single layer-type wrapping machine generally 13, such as the Flex-Vac 6-16.

In FIGURES 3, 6, 7 and 8 a second embodiment of a collator generally 15 is illustrated for receiving frankfurters from peelers generally 16 (AC. frankfurter production) and delivering double layer groups of frankfurters to the infeed conveyor generally 17 of a multilayer-type packaging machine such as a Wrap-King apparatus (not shown).

With respect to the first embodiment as shown in FIG- URE 1, frankfurters are de osited from the production machine generally 11 onto a narrow ribbon conveyor 20, the upper run of which is tilted downwardly away from the machine. A guide member 21 is positioned adjacent the lower side of the ribbon conveyor 21 opposite the production machine 11 to prevent the frankfurters from falling off the conveyor, before reaching a delivery means described hereinafter. The guide member 21 terminates short of the end of conveyor 20 at a point above a roller conveyor generally 22 which is trained at right angles to the ribbon conveyor from a point slightly below the upper run of the latter. The roller conveyor generally 22, as seen in FIGURE 2, comprises a plurality of freely rotatable cylindrical members 23 which extend transversely between a pair of spaced endless chains 24 trained about sprockets. The latter are driven in conventional manner from an electric motor, not shown. The cylindrical rollers 23 are spaced slightly so as to receive frankfurters between adjacent rollers without permitting the frankfurters to drop therebetween.

As frankfurters are advanced axially along the ribbon conveyor 20, they will be prevented from rolling therefrom by the guide member 21 until they come abreast of the roller conveyor 22 at which point each frankfurtc-r will drop between two adjacent rollers 23. Preferably, however, a gate generally 25 comprising a vertically reciprocable guide section 26, attached to a pneumatic cylinder 27, is located at that point and is operable to move the guide section 26 into alignment with the guide member 21 on the occasion that a malfunction occurs downstream of that point. In the latter instance frankfurters will be confined to travel the full length of the ribbon conveyor 20 from which they may be discharged into any convenient receptacle, such as a tub (not shown), and subsequently reprocessed in the assembling and packaging equipment, or packaged by other means.

The delivery means comprising the roller conveyor generally 22 is trained to move frankfurters, laterally to one another, in a direction substantially normal to the ribbon conveyor 20 past a preliminary aligning means. At points spaced "from the ribbon conveyor and positioned above each side of the path of the cylindrical rollers 23 are a pair of vanes 28. These vanes are preferably constructed from stainless steel spring and are mounted only at the upstream end to rapid vibrators 29. The downstream ends of both vanes 28 are unsupported and free to vibrate. Thus as frankfurters pass between the vanes the vibratory motion of the latter will tend to slide each frankfurter into a central position on the roller 43 to form a substantially continuous surface.

conveyor 22 so that all frankfurters passing beyond that location will be generally aligned with one another.

Also positioned above the roller conveyor generally 22 is a wiper bar 30. The wiper bar 30 is positioned just above the path of frankfurters carried between rollers 23. Thus the wiper bar will not contact properly positioned frankfurters. However, should one frankfurter be astride another, the wiper bar will cause the excess upper frankfurter to be retarded until it can fall into an unoccupied space between two rollers.

Additionally, at a location along the roller conveyor generally 22 a track 31 is located to contact the undersurface of the rollers and thus cause them to rotate, in the direction of movement, as they roll thereacross. The rotation of the rollers 23 will impart an opposite or reverse spin to any frankfurters residing therebetween, thus exposing the entire surface of each frankfurter for visual observation and inspection by an operator.

At the downstream terminal end of the roller conveyor generally 22 beyond the track 31, a friction bar 32 is held against the upper surface of the rollers by a tension spring 33. At this point the bar 32 causes the rollers 23 to rotate opposite to movement and thus impart a forward spin to frankfurters supported therebetween. This impels the frankfurters across a declining pan member 36 positioned to receive frankfurters as the latter fall from between the rollers 23, and across which the frankfurters will roll into a grouping means. A sensing means is positioned above the pan 36 for counting franks as they roll thereacross. Preferably, the counting means comprises a photoelectric cell unit generally 37 (seen only in FIGURE 9A) within a housing 38 (seen in FIG- URE 4). A light beam from the cell will be reflected from the pan back to the photo cell and will thus be broken to activate the latter as each frankfurter passes across the pan 36.

Each frankfurter in turn is received within a grouping means which includes a grouping conveyor generally 41. The latter conveyor preferably comprises a plurality of flat slats 42 mounted transversely upon an endless chain The chain 43 in turn is trained about a pair of sprockets, one of which is intermittently driven from a suitable drive means to be subsequently explained. Also, the grouping conveyor generally 41 includes a plurality of spaced divider bars 46 demountably attached at equal intervals to the upper surface of the slats 42 so as to define pockets in which a specified number of items such as frankfurters may be received. It is desirable that the divided bars 46 be mounted by releasable means in such a way that they may be adjusted to a desired spacing for any given installation, whereby the owner of the device may have the option to determine the number of items which will make up a group and accordingly size the pockets.

It is also preferable to further assist transfer of frankfurters from the roller conveyor generally 22 and pan 36 onto the grouping conveyor generally 41 with some type of urging means. In the preferred apparatus shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 (and also the embodiment shown in FIGURES 6 and 7) a plurality of air jets 47 are located adjacent the pan as and aimed in the direction of the upper run of the grouping conveyor generally 41. An additional air jet 48 may also be located beneath the upper run of the roller conveyor 22 directed toward the pan 36. Also, the divider bars 4-6 on the grouping conveyor 41 are centrally notched to allow forward projection of air from at least the central air jet 47 to urge each frankfurter fully forward into contact with either the preceding divider bar or frankfurter.

As previously mentioned, the grouping conveyor 41 is intermittently driven by a suitable power source which may include a Geneva drive generally 51, and an electric motor 52 and clutch 53. Control of this apparatus is in the photo cell unit 37 so that upon the desired number of frankfurters being counted crossing the pan 36,

the clutch 53 will be engaged, whereby the electrrc motor 52 will turn the Geneva drive 51 to move the conveyor 41 a distance equal to the space between two succeeding divider bars 46. The drive and conveyor are synchronized to position a divider bar 46 immediately beneath the lower edge of pan 36 when the conveyor halts. The conveyor 41 will then be in position to receive the next group of frankfurters arriving from the roller conveyor 22. Where an owner of the apparatus adjusts the spacing of the divider bars 46, a corresponding adjustment will also be made in the drive means.

Located directly above the grouping: conveyor and in light contact with the divider bars 46 thereon is an endless hold down belt 56, for inhibiting any tendency for the product to bounce or spring from the space between divider bars 46. The hold down belt 56 is provided with a conventional belt tightener roll 59, and may be suitably driven by means of a chain 60 trained about sprockets associated with both the belt 56 and chain 43 of the conveyor generally 41.

At a subsequent index station along the path of the grouping conveyor 41 a pair of group end aligning means are located to shape the ends of the frankfurters within a group between two successive divider bars 46. In the preferred apparatus, the aligning means are in the form of a pair of ram plates 63, 64, as may be seen in FIGURE 5, which are reciprocably actuable in a. horizontal plane by a pair of pneumatic cylinders 65, 66, respectively, to buff the ends of the franks. The pneumatic cylinders are actuated to briefly extend the ram plates inwardly toward the conveyor 41 one or more times during each moment of dwell of the latter. The ram plates are then immediately withdrawn with the result that both ends of the items making up a group are squared-up.

At a further index station in the direction of motion from the end rams provisions is made to remove the groups of objects from the grouping conveyor 41 by a suitable transfer means. At this location the groups are transferred to an intermediate receiving means and thence to the infeed conveyor of a suitable wrapping machine. In the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5 provision is made to transfer two adjacent groups simultaneously across a stationary tray 68, positioned at one side and level with the grouping conveyor 41, and thence on to the infeed conveyor generally 12 of the aforementioned single layer type wrapping machine. A transfer means suitable for this purpose is illustrated as including a plurality of sweeper blades 70 transversely mounted between a pair of endless chains 71, '72, or the like, in turn trained about pairs of sprockets 73, '74 which are located so that the path of the sweeper blades 70 along the lower runs of the chains 71, 72 will be closely spaced above the upper surface of the slats 42 making up the grouping conveyor generally 41. As may be seen in the figures, each pair of sprockets 73, 74 are mounted on shafts 75 which are rotatably secured in the apparatus frame. One of these shafts is rotatable by means of another chain 77, or the like, trained about a sprocket 78 fixed to shaft 75 and a sprocket 79 on a separate drive means to be further explained.

It will also be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 that each sweeper blade is relieved at the central portion thereof to pass across a divider bar 46 on the grouping conveyor 41. The two ends of the sweeper blades 70 fit closely between successive divider bars 46; and obviously where the divider bars are respaced'the sweeper blades should be replaced. An appropriate number of blades 70 are mounted, equally spaced, on the chains 71, 72; and the lower run of the latter extends from beyond one side of the grouping conveyor 41 and transversely across the latter to beyond the further edge of the tray 68. For purposes of timing, the distance between successive sweeper blades 7t should be substantially equal to the distance between opposite edges of the conveyor 41 and tray 68.

7 Preferably chains 71, 72 are of sufficient length to carry three blades.

The sweeper blades 70 may be driven through the aforementioned drive belt 77 by means of a suitable electric motor 80 clutch 81 combination. Preferably blades 70 are driven in two steps, first across the conveyor 41 and thence across tray 68. In operation the clutch S1 is energized every second period of dwell of the grouping conveyor 41 provided that the infeed conveyor generally 12 for the wrapping machine is in position to receive the groups of product. Normally the two driving steps of the blades 70 are uninterrupted and indistinguishable. A timer control in association with the wrapping machine overrides this operation so that if the wrapping machine cannot accept product, due to a malfunction or the like, the sweeper blades 70 will not be moved, and groups of product will be indexed past the sweeper station for the duration of the malfunction. Such product may be collected in baskets or the like as it falls from the end of the grouping conveyor 41.

It will have become clear that the present apparatus operates to preliminarily align laterally spaced cylindrical objects, group a given number of objects, and index the latter groups forwardly as each number of items is received. Subsequently the ends of the items making up each group are shaped and then the groups are swept onto the infeed of a wrapping machine. A second embodiment of the apparatus, earlier briefly described, for assembling and feeding double-layer groups of product to a wrapping machine, operates in substantially the same manner except that initial groups making up one layer are first swept onto a second grouping conveyor whereupon a second layer of objects is also swept upon top of the first layer after which the ends of the double-layer group are again shaped and thence each group swept to the infeed of a wrapping machine. In the following description and FIGURES 3, 6, 7 and 8 representing the second embodiment of the apparatus, elements of the first stages of the apparatus corresponding to those described in the first embodiment are denoted by like reference characters bearing a prime exponent.

The first stages of the second embodiment of the present apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 3, 6, 7 and 8 are substantially the same as the first embodiment of the apparatus. A similarly constructed roller conveyor generally 22' is trained to carry product laterally between a pair of vibrating vanes 28' and beneath a wiper bar 30. Product is discharged from the roller conveyor across a pan 36 and beneath a photo cell counting means onto a first grouping conveyor generally 41' comprised of a series of slats 42' mounted on an endless chain 43. The first grouping means similarly has a plurality of equally spaced divider bars 46' adjustably mounted on slats 42 and a plurality of air jets 47, 48' assist in the grouping of the items. The first grouping conveyor 41' is similarly driven through a Geneva drive generally '51; and includes a stationary end guide 55' and a hold down belt 56. Also a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocable ram plates 63' and 64 operate to shape both ends of a group of product on the first grouping conveyor generally 41.

It will be noted in FIGURE 3, however, that where this embodiment of the apparatus is associated with a plurality of the peelers 16, the roller conveyor generally 22' may be longer. Consequently, the tie peelers 16 are positioned parallel to one another adjacent the roller conveyor 22' to feed A.C. franks directly onto the rollers 23.

Also at the end of the first grouping conveyor generally 41, the sweeper blades 70' are of a dimension accommodating but a single group of product at one time and are thus of a length equal to the space between two successive divider bars 46. The sweeper blades 70' are mounted upon a single endless chain 71. Sprocket 73 is in turn mounted on a shaft 75 along with a sprocket 78 which is driven by means of a chain 77 from a sprocket 79 mounted upon an electric motor and clutch mechanism 80, 81. In operation of this embodiment the first transfer means comprising the above-described sweeper blades operates during the dwell period of each indexing of the grouping conveyor 4-1 to sweep product transversely onto a second grouping means comprising a second grouping conveyor generally 85, the upper run of which is mounted parallel to and at a lower level closely adjacent the upper run of the first grouping conveyor 41. Preferably, the upper run of the second grouping conveyor 85 is located a distance equal to the height of the product below the upper run of the first grouping conveyor 41'.

The second grouping conveyor is similarly constructed of a plurality of slats 36 transversely mounted upon an endless chain 87 which is trained about a pair of sprockets. A stop deflector S9 is fixed adjacent the end of slats 86 opposite conveyor 41 and in line with sweepers 74) to arrest the frankfurters. Also a plurality of second divider bars 91 are adjustably mounted to the substantially continuous surface formed by the slats 86. The latter divider bars 91 are desirably of a height equal to two layers of product.

A second drive means similar to the drive of the first grouping conveyor is provided. Preferably the second drive (not shown) comprises a second Geneva drive connected to a motor and clutch in common with the Geneva 51' for conveyor 41. The latter Geneva includes two drive cams, and the second Geneva includes one cam for intermittently indexing the second grouping conveyor generally 85, one station for every two index movements of the first grouping conveyor 41. Consequently, it will be seen that two succeeding groups of product will be swept from the first grouping conveyor 41 onto the second grouping conveyor 35 before the latter indexes forward. At a station adjacent both sides of the latter conveyor downstream of the stop deflector 89 is a second aligning means comprising a pair of ram plates 95, 96 reciprocable in a horizontal plane by a pair of pneumatic cylinders 97, 98, respectively. Ram plates 95, 96 are of a. height slightly greater than the double layer of the group of product on conveyor 85 and are briefly reciprocated inwardly and returned to the withdrawn position at least once during each period of dwell of the second grouping conveyor 85. Their function is similar to that of the first pair of ram plates 63', 6 to buff and shape theends of the double-layer group.

Finally, at a subsequent station further downstream along the second grouping conveyor 35 is located a second transfer means comprising a plurality of sweeper blades 101 attached at equal intervals to an endless chain 192 trained about a pair of sprockets 1G3, 104. Sweeper blades 101 are of construction similar to blades 70 except that their vertical dimension is greater so as to contact the entire height of a group of product. Also an equal number of hold down plates 105 are connected to the endless chain 102, each slightly in advance of a corresponding sweeper blade 1111. The upstream edge of each hold down plate 1&5 is curbed slightly upwardly so that a double-layer group of product approaching on the second conveyor 85 will be compressed very slightly as it enters thereunder. Thereafter, during the period of dwell and as a sweeper blade m1 forces a double-layer group of product from between divider bars 91, the hold down plates 105 hold the group from vertical displacement.

At this location, in the path of the sweeper blades 101 adjacent the second grouping conveyor 85, is a stationary transfer tray 1107 leading to the infeed conveyor generally 17 of a double-layer wrapping machine such as the aforementioned Wrap-King apparatus. A stationary guideway 108 is secured to the tray 107 opposite the index station of two adjacent divider bars 91 and provides a means for maintaining the shape of a group of franks as it is transferred from the second grouping conveyor to between a pair of spaced dogs 114 and 115. It may be noted that the latter infeed conveyor comprises a pair of chains 110, 111 mounted longitudinally between a pair of parallel rails 112, 113. Chain 110 is connected to a plurality of equally spaced dogs 114. Chain 111 is connected to a plurality of similarly equally spaced dogs 115; and the dogs 114, 115 are paired off in abutting relation so as to form spaces between one dog 114 and the next dog 115 which are equal to the dimension of groups of product being swept from the second grouping conveyor 85. A stationary bumper 116 is mounted on rail 113 opposite the guideway 108 to arrest the frankfurters between a pair of dogs 114, 115.

The sequence of operation of both embodiments in preferably controlled by an electrical circuit such as that shown in FIGURES 9A and 9B which was specifically devised to control the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGURES l, -4 and 5. Broadly speaking, the illustrated circuit controls the sequence of the aforementioned apparatus by the sensing means, particularly photo cell unit generally 37, comprising a photo cell detector 120 and light 121; and a plurality of switches comprising four cam actuated switches 124, 125, 126, 127, mounted on the collator itself, two cam actuated switches 130, 131, mounted on the wrapping machine, and a two-bank stepping switch generally 134 and seven relay units 136- 142, inclusive, mounted in a control panel.

Referring to FIGURES 9A and 9B a 1l0-volt A.C. supply source is connected across two bus wires 145, 146 which delivers power to all of the various electric motors and elements of the control circuit. The grouping conveyor motor 52 and sweep drive motor 80, each connected in series with overload switches 148, 149, respectively, are connected in parallel across wires 145, 146 through a motor control relay switch 150. A lamp 151 is connected parallel with motor control relay 150 to indicate when power is available at the motors 52, 80; and a normally closed stop switch 152 and a normally open start switch 153 are series connected between the wire 145 and both relay 150 and lamp 151. A relay switch operated by the motor control relay 150 is connected to close and selfhold a parallel circuit around the start switch 153 when the relay is energized.

Beyond the connection with the motor control circuit a power switch 154 series connects bus line 145 with a bus line 155. Switch 154 must be closed to connect power to a motor 22m for roller conveyor generally 22 and the sequence control circuit including the sensing unit generally 37 and stepping switch 134. A lamp 156 is connected between bus lines 146 and 155 down line of switch 154 to light when the latter is closed. Switch 154 is also preferably mechanically connected to a heater switch 157 which, in turn, is series-connected with a heater resistor element 158 across the bus wires 145 and 146. Since the present invention was devised to be used for collating items of food within a refrigerated room the heater is preferred to be mounted within a control panel which houses most of the electrical control elements so as to warm the latter during periods that the apparatus is inoperative. Thus when control switch 154 is open, switch 157 will be closed to energize the heater 158, and vice versa.

The sensing unit generally 37 is connected between bus wires 146 and 155 and is energized upon closing switch 154. A normally open-biased machine starting' switch 161 is also series-connected between bus wire 155 and a further distribution line 162. Further, one or more normally closed stop switches 163 may be series-connected between switch 161 and the distribution line 162, and physically located at convenient points about the collator apparatus, to provide an operator ready access to means to stop action of the machine.

When both switches 154 and 161 are closed (assuming switches 163 are also closed) power will immediately be delivered to a solenoid 165, which moves to open the gate generally 25, and to the motor 22m of roller conveyor generally 22, thus permitting product to be conveyed to the collator apparatus. The motor 22m is connected through a motor control relay 166 and overload switch 167 across a bus wires 146 and 162; and the motor control relay 166 operates a pair of contacts 168 which are connected to form a holding circuit around switch 161. Thus distribution line 162 will be connected to power so long as the motor control relay 166 remains energized.

The relay 166 will remain energized. once switch 161 is momentarily closed, subject to the opening of either the overload switch 167 or a pair of normally closed relay contacts 169 connected in series therewith. (The relay will also be de-energized when the apparatus is disconnected by opening either switches 163 or 154 at the normal end of operation.) [Relay contacts 169 are mechanically actuated by a timer 170 which is associated with the sensing unit generally 37 as hereafter explained.

The sensing unit generally 37 prefer-ably is comprised of a photo detector cell and light 121, as previously mentioned, and includes a pair of photo-electric amplifiers 173, 174 to produce a substantial electric signal each time a unit of product crosses the pan 36.

Both amplifiers 173, 174 are connected between bus wires 146 and 155. Conveniently the detector cell 120 is connected to one amplifier 173; and the light 121 is energized from a connection with the other amplifier 174. Suitable amplifiers for this purpose are commercially available. While the light beam is broken by a unit of product, the detector 120 causes an electric signal to be sent directly to the timer 170, and also a second simultaneous signal is sent through a resistor network 175 to the other amplifier 174.

The first signal is concurrent with the period that the light beam is broken and the timer 170 will start to time out during that period. When the light beam is reestablished, the signal terminates and the timer 170 automatically resets. However, if the time out period set in the timer 170 is reached, the contacts 169 will be opened thereby deenergizing the motor control relay 166, for roller conveyor motor 22m, and solenoid for gate 25. Thus the roller conveyor 22 will stop and the control elements will be deenergized by the opening of contacts 168 connected to the motor control relay 166. The gate 25 will also close and franks will be diverted to the end of conveyor 20. The reason for this is that a malfunction in the collator apparatus will cause a stoppage of product flow across the pan 36 and result in product being stationary at that point blocking the light beam. Thus the timer is set to time out at second; and if the light beam to the detector 120 is dark for that period of time, the apparatus will automatically stop.

The second signal from the photoelectric amplifier 173 is impressed, through resistor network 175, on the other amplifier 174 which normally results in a brief electrical pulse being developed as each unit of product passes the photo cell 120. This pulse is delivered through a pair of wires 176, 177 to the stepping mechanism of the step switch generally 134. The same pulse causes an internal connection within the amplifier, to be made between a wire 178 and a lead to bus wire 155. The wire 178 is in turn connected to a relay contact, to be subsequently explained, through which the clutch 53 for the drive of grouping conveyor 41 is periodically energized.

Concerning the step switch generally 134, this element is connected across bus wires 146 and 162 and the stepping mechanism is connected to the amplifier 174 as above described. The switch generally 134 comprises two separate banks 181, 182, which rotate step-wise in unison. Keeping in mind that the specific embodiment of the inventions illustrated was devised to assemble groups of live units of product, each bank includes ten contact points and has a wiper arm connected to the bus wire 162.

With reference to the first bank 181, the first and sixth contacts are left blank. The second, third, seventh and eighth contacts are jumped together to a wire and in turn connected to the coil of relay 136 which is also connected to bus wire 146. The relay 136, when energized, closes its contacts 187 to connect a solenoid 188 across bus wires 146, 162. Solenoid 188 directs air under pressure to the pneumatic cylinders 65, 66 which actuate ram plates 63, 64, respectively, to buff the ends of a group of product on the conveyor 41.

The fourth and ninth contact points on bank 181 are jumpered together to a wire 190 in turn connected to the coil of relay 137 which is also connected to bus wire 146. Relay 137, when energized, closes two sets of contacts 191, 192. The first set of contacts 191 forms a connection between wire 178 (to amplifier 174 and thence to the bus wire 155) and the clutch 53 of the grouping conveyor generally 41. However, since only brief pulses of energy are delivered to wire 178 upon a unit of product breaking the light beam, the clutch will be energized and engaged only upon every fifth and tenth unit passing the photo cell 120. The brief pulse is sufficient to cause the conveyor 41 to index forward one station; and the relay 137 becomes deenergized immediately upon bank 181 stepping to the fifth or tenth contact points. It may also be noted that the clutch 53 is also connectable between bus wires 145 and 146 directly through a jog switch 193 which allows the clutch to be energized to continuously operate the grouping conveyor 41.

The second set of contacts 192 on relay 137 forms part of a circuit from the bus wire 162 to the coil of relay 140. The remainder of the circuit to relay 140 is completed by a set of contacts 194 which close upon energization of relay 139. A second set of contacts 195 on the latter relay form part of a self'holding circuit to maintain the relay 139 energized under certain conditions. This and the following portion of the control apparatus control the cycling of the sweeper blades 78'.

It may be seen in FIGURE 9B that the relay 139 will, in turn, be energized only when both cam switch 124 and contacts 197, the later operated by relay 138, are closed. Cam switches 124 through 127 are actuated by a like number of cams (not shown) which are driven directly from the sweeper drive. Switch 124 is normally closed and will be opened by a cam only during the period that a sweeper blade 78 is moving product from the conveyor 41 onto the intermediate tray 68. Additionally, the fifth and tenth contacts on bank 181 of the stepping switch 134 are jumpered together and connected to the relay 138 to energize the latter briefly as the wiper passes those contact points. Thus contacts 197 will be closed briefly upon each fifth and tenth unit entering the grouping conveyor 41 to energize relay 139 which in turn self-holds through its contacts 195 and the cam switch 124 until the latter is opened when units are moved from the grouping conveyor.

It also follows that on the next succeeding ninth or fourth items (second index step of conveyor 41) the re lay 148 will be energized through the closed contacts 194 and 192. At the same time a counter 199, connected parallel to relay 140, will become energized. Energization of relay 140 causes its associated set of contacts 201 and 202 to be closed. Contacts 201 complete a self-holding circuit to the relay 140 through the set of contacts 194 on relay 139 (and relay self-holds through contacts 195 and cam switch 124). Therefore, relay 140 and counter 199 will become de-energized concurrently with relay 139, which occurs only when the cam switch 124 opens upon the sweeper 78 moving from the grouping conveyor 41. Since two groups of five units will be swept simultaneously, the counter will reflect only multiples of ten units processed by the collator.

Relay contacts 202 form part of a first circuit to energize the clutch 81 of the sweeper drive. The remainder of the first circuit to the clutch 81 is normally first completed through a set of contacts 204, operated by the relay 141, and the cam switch 125, series connected. Cam switch 125 is normally open but is closed by a second cam, driven from the sweeper, when a sweeper blade 78 is in position on the side of conveyor 41 opposite the tray 68 (ready to sweep product from conveyor 41). Relay 14-1 is jumpered to the second and seventh contact points of the second bank 182 of the step-ping switch 134. Thus, when contacts 282 and cam switch are closed (sweeper 70 in position and conveyor 41 twice indexed), the clutch will be actuated briefly upon the next second or seventh unit (when the conveyor 41 is motionless as it moves only on fourth and ninth units) breaking the light beam at photo cell 128. Stated differently, due to the sequence of stepping switch banks 181 and 182, both contacts 282 and 204 will be closed concurrently only once for each ten units of product, and only while conveyor 41 is at rest. (That is, relay 140 is energized only upon either a fourth or ninth count, due to contacts 192 on relay 137, and only after contacts 194 are first closed by relay 139 on a following fifth or tenth count, due to contacts 197 on relay 138).

Clutch 81 will be energized only briefly through the above-described circuit as the contacts 284 are closed only briefly during a single index movement of the stepping switch 134, and also because the cam switch 124 will be opened, causing relay 14-0 to de-energize, when a sweeper blade 78 moves across the grouping conveyor 41. The clutch 81 will thus only engage sufiicient to move a sweeper 78 across conveyor 41 transferring product only to the tray 68 and cause cam switch 125 to open.

A second circuit for energizing the clutch 81 for further movement of a sweeper 78 across tray 68 to ad vance product onto the wrapping machine infeed generally 12, is provided through a cam switch 126, associated with the sweeper drive, and cam switch 138 associated with the wrapping machine infeed drive. The cam switch 126 is normally open but is closed by an appropriate cam (not shown) when a sweeper blade 70 is adjacent and between the conveyor 41 and tray 68. Cam switch 130 is normally open, but is closed by another cam (the latter driven from the wrapping machine) when the infeed conveyor 12 is in position to receive product. Normally, when both switches 125 and 130 are closed in series with clutch 81 the latter will be electrically connected across bus wires 162 and 146 and will be energized to drive the sweeper blade and product across the tray 68. However, a further set of contacts 286, normally closed, are series-connected between wire 162 and switch 1313. Contacts 286 will be opened upon energization of the associated relay 142, which can only occur when cam switch 127, associated with the sweeper drive, is momentarily closed. The latter occurs upon a sweeper blade 70 being driven past the tray 68 to discharge product therefrom onto the infeed conveyor generally 12. At the same time a holding circuit is completed to the relay 142 through a second set of contacts 207. A further cam actuated switch 131, associated with the wrapping machine infeed drive, is completed in series with relay 142 and each of the cam switches 127 and contacts 207. The switch 131 is normally closed and opened only momentarily each time the infeed conveyor 12 is first moved toward the wrapping machine generally 13.

Thus the circuit to clutch 81 through switches 138 and 126 will not be completed until after one sweeper blade 78 advances preceding units across tray 68 to the infeed 12; and a second sweeper blade cannot move thereacross until the infeed conveyor indexes forward to open switch 131 de-energizing relay 142 and allowing contacts 206 to reclose. Also the clutch 81 will not be reenergized, before this occurs, through the first described circuit due to the spacing of sweeper blades, and the fact that a sweeper blade 78 must be driven fully across the tray 68 before the appropriate cam again closes switch 125 representing that the next blade 78 is adjacent conveyor 11. Also, should the movement of the sweeper 70 or the infeed conveyor 12 be held up for any reason, the conveyor 41 will continue to index separately and independently every time five units of product are received, and product not swept therefrom will simply be dumped over the terminal end of the grouping conveyor.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An improved method for collating sausages into groups of a specified number for packaging, said method comprising: moving a plurality of successive substantially parallel sausages in a given direction and path lateral to their longitudinal axes; sensing the passage of each sausage passing a point in said path to count a desired number of sausages; spinning each sausage in said given direction just in advance of said point to assist the sausage in passing said point; halting the motion of a first sausage at a location beyond said point and thereby arresting the motion of a number of subsequent sausages after passing said point to assemble a first quantity of said desired number of sausages; confining said number of sausages to a single layer; thereafter advancing said layer of sausages beyond said location in said direction upon sensing said desired number of sausages at said point and halting the next succeeding sausage to assemble a subsequent layer; aligning the end of said sausages in said first layer; and then transferring said first layer of sausages in a longitudinal direction from said path as a unit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the movement of sausages beyond said point until they are arrested is aided by directing a jet of fluid toward said location and against said sausages as they pass said point.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said sausages are first conveyed from production in a longitudinal direction and wherein said method includes: reorienting said items from longitudinal alignment to lateral spacing; preliminarily realigning the ends of said laterally spaced sausages to conform to said path; and rotating said sausages for inspection before reaching said point.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein each unit of sausages is subsequently wrapped as a separate single-layer group.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer of sausages is swept in a longitudinal direction and to a lower level, and thereafter advancing the next succeeding layer of sausages to a position adjacent said first layer; sweeping the next succeeding layer of sausages on top of said first layer to form a multilayer group of sausages; advancing said group in a lateral direction along a second path; aligning the ends of said sausages in all layers of said group; and then transferring said multilayer group in a longitudinal direction from said second path as a unit.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the top and the lateral sides of said multilayer group are physically confined while said group is transferred longitudinally from said second path.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein each unit of sausages is subsequently wrapped as a multilayer group.

8. An improved apparatus for collating cylindrical items into groups of a specified number for packaging, said apparatus comprising: a declining pan across which said items will roll downwardly in a lateral direction; a counting mechanism adjacent said pan to count each item as it rolls thereacross; an endless conveyor disposed in line and adjacent with the lower end of said pan, said conveyor having a plurality of transversely disposed divider members equally spaced a distance to accommodate a desired number of said items between successive members; an indexing drive mechanism connected to said endless conveyor to intermittently advance said conveyor in said direction, said drive mechanism being operatively connected to said counting mechanism to be actuated to drive said conveyor said distance upon said desired number of items crossing said pan; and at least one sweeper member positioned above said conveyor beyond said pan and disposed to be movable transversely of said conveyor to sweep at least one group of said desired number of items from between at least two successive divider members and from said conveyor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 including an intermittently reciprocable buffing member positioned adjacent an edge of said conveyor between said pan and said sweeper member, said buffing member being reciprocable generally transverse to said conveyor to align the ends of said items between successive divider members.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 including packaging means for wrapping said items, said packaging means being positioned to receive items from said sweeper member.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 including a first conveying means for transporting said items from production in longitudinal alignment; a second conveying means disposed normal to said first conveying means for receiving said items therefrom and moving said items laterally spaced substantially in said lateral direction to said declining pan.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 including packaging means for wrapping said groups of items, said packaging means being positioned to receive groups of items swept from said endless conveyor by said sweeper member.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second conveying means comprises a movable endless plurality of transverse rollers spaced to receive said items between rollers; and a track positioned beneath said rollers and in rolling contact therewith to rotate said rollers in the direction of motion toward said pan.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second conveying means comprises a movable endless plurality of transverse rollers spaced to receive said items between rollers; a track positioned beneath said rollers and in rolling contact therewith to rotate said rollers in the direction of motion toward said pan; and a friction bar positioned above said rollers and in rolling contact therewith immediately in advance of said pan to impart a rotation in the reverse of said direction, whereby a forward rotation in said direction will be imparted to said items to assist them across said pan.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 including fluid jet means positioned adjacent said declining pan and directed toward said endless conveyor for assisting the movement of said items onto said conveyor and toward said dividing members.

16. An improved apparatus for collating sausages into groups of a specified number for packaging, said apparatus comprising: a declining pan across which said items will roll downwardly in a lateral direction; a counting mechanism adjacent said pan to count each sausage as it rolls thereacross; an endless conveyor disposed in line with and adjacent the lower end of said pan, said conveyor having a plurality of transversely disposed divider members equally spaced a distance to accommodate a desired number of said sausages between successive members; at least one fluid nozzle adjacent said pan directed toward said divider members to urge said sausages thereto; a hold down means spaced above said conveyor extending from said pan to confine said sausages to a single layer; an indexing drive mechanism connected to said endless conveyor to intermittently advance said conveyor in said direction, said drive mechanism being operatively connected to said counting mechanism to be actuated to drive said conveyor said distance upon said desired number of items crossing said pan; and at least one sweeper member positioned above said conveyor beyond said pan and disposed to be movable transversely of said first conveyor to sweep at least one layer of said desired number of sausages from between at least two successive divider members and from said conveyor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, including a movable endless plurality of spaced transverse rollers trained to carry sausages therebetween in said lateral direction to said declining pan; and means to rotate said rollers as they approach said pan in reverse of said direction whereby a spin in said direction will be imparted to each sausage to assist it in rolling across said pan.

18. An improved apparatus for collating sausages into groups of a specified number for packaging, said apparatus comprising: a declining pan across which said items will roll downwardly in a lateral direction; a photo electric device adjacent said pan to count each sausage as it rolls thereacross; a first endless conveyor disposed in line with and adjacent the lower end of said pan, said conveyor having a plurality of transversely disposed divider members equally spaced a distance to accommodate a desired number of said sausages between successive members; at least one fluid nozzle adjacent said pan directed toward said divider members to urge said sausages thereto; a hold down belt spaced above said conveyor extending from said pan to confine said sausages to a single layer; a first indexing drive mechanism connected to said first endless conveyor to intermittently advance said conveyor in said direction, said drive mechanism being operatively connected to said photo electric device to be actuated to drive said first conveyor said distance upon said desired number of items crossing said pan; at least one first sweeper member positioned above said first conveyor beyond said pan and disposed to be movable transversely of said first conveyor to sweep at least one layer of said desired number of sausages from between at least two successive divider members and from said conveyor; 21 second endless conveyor positioned to receive said layer of sausages swept from said first endless conveyor, said second endless conveyor being substantially parallel slightly below said first endless conveyor, and having divider members equally spaced said distance thereon; a second indexing drive mechanism connected to said second conveyor to inter- 3 mittently advance the latter after a plurality of movements of said first sweeper member whereby a multilayer group of sausages will be received between the dividers of said second conveyor; a second sweeper member positioned above said second conveyor beyond said first sweeper member and disposed to be movable transversely of said second conveyor to sweep said group longitudinally of said sausages from said second conveyor, said second sweeper member having a plate positioned to contact the upper surface of said group; a transfer tray having upstanding sides positioned adjacent said second conveyor opposite said second sweeper member to temporarily receive the group swept from said second conveyor; and at least one pair of intermittently reciproc-able buffing members oppositely disposed at the sides of at least one of said first and second conveyors in advance of the respective said first and second sweeper members.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, including a movable endless plurality of spaced transverse rollers trained to carry sausages therebetween in said lateral direction to said declining pan; and means to rotate said rollers as they approach said pan in reverse of said direction whereby a spin in said direction will be imparted to each sausage to assist it in rolling across said pan.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,574,196 11/1951 Soloman et al. 53--61 2,685,996 8/1954 Shoffner et al. 53-258 2,698,693 1/1955 Nordquist 5361 X 2,713,449 7/1955 Carmichael 53258 2,757,411 8/1956 Condon.

2,908,576 10/1959 Rumsey 99-174 2,980,541 4/1961 MacDonald 99-174 3,027,697 4/1962 Croasdale 53-62 3,089,297 5/1963 Craig et al. 53-150 X A. LOUIS MONACELL, Primary Examiner.

HYMAN LORD, Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR COLLATING SAUSAGES INTO GROUPS OF A SPECIFIED NUMBER FOR PACKAGING, SAID METHOD COMPRISING: MOVING A PLURALITY OF SUCCESSIVE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SAUSAGES IN A GIVEN DIRECTION AND PATH LATERAL TO THEIR LONGITUDINAL AXES; SENSING THE PASSAGE OF EACH SAUSAGE PASSING POINT IN SAID PATH TO COUNT A DESIRED NUMBER OF SAUSAGES; SPINNING EACH SAUSAGE IN SAID GIVEN DIRECTION JUST IN ADVANCE OF SAID POINT TO ASSIST THE SAUSAGE IN PASSING SAID POINT; HALTING THEMOTION OF A FIRST SAUSAGE AT A LOCATION BEYOND SAID POINT AND THEREBY ARRESTING THE MOTION OF A NUMBER OF SUBSEQUENT SAUSAGES AFTER PASSING SAID POINT TO ASSEMBLE A FIRST QUALITY OF SAID DESIRED NUMBER OF SAUSAGES; CONFINING SAID NUMBER OF SAUSAGES TO A SINGLE LAYER; THEREAFTER ADVANCING SAID LAYER OF SAUSAGES BEYOND SAID LOCATION IN SAID DIRECTION UPON SENSING SAID DESIRED NUMBER OF SAUSAGES AT SAID POINT AND HALTING THE NEXT SUCCEEDING SAUSAGE TO ASSEMBLE A SUBSEQUENT LAYER; ALIGNING THE END OF THE SAID SAUSAGE IN SAID FIRST LAYER; AND THEN TRANSFERRING SAID FIRST LAYER OF SAUSAGES IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION FROM SAID PATH AS A UNIT. 